“WE, HOME”: A global lens on care, connection and family

Through photography and personal stories, the online exhibition - that can be found at www.we-home.it - presents a thoughtful exploration of relationships and care giving within the home.

Created by the International Centre for Family Studies (CISF) in Milan, the exhibition presents a series of photo essays and short audio stories that explore how families live, connect, and care for one another in their everyday environments. It’s a project that brings attention to the value of close relationships and the domestic spaces where they unfold.

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Home as a shared space and experience

The title “WE, HOME” captures two key ideas: the concept of family as a shared identity (“we”) and the idea of home as more than just a place—it’s a lived experience of welcoming, supporting, and growing together.

The exhibition features ten families living in different parts of Italy, including rural areas, cities, and suburbs. They represent a wide range of situations—young couples, elderly parents with adult children, large families, single parents, and multicultural households. Each family is photographed in their own space, giving an honest and personal look into everyday life at home.

Short audio clips accompany each story, adding the voices and reflections of the people involved. These help bring the images to life and give a deeper sense of what family means in different contexts.

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A thematic look at family life

The exhibition is organised around ten central themes—what CISF calls “words of relationship.” These include eating, listening, resting, helping, arguing, crying, laughing, welcoming, planning, and working. Each theme is used to explore the shared activities and emotional dynamics that are common to families everywhere, regardless of structure or background.

This thematic approach helps connect individual stories to a broader understanding of what families have in common. It also highlights how the everyday routines of care giving and cooperation form the foundation of strong, resilient communities.

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Why this matters to the fundraising sector

At IFC, we often work with organisations that focus on community wellbeing, social cohesion, and human development. Projects like “WE, HOME” are a reminder that these goals begin with the family unit—and that effective storytelling can play a vital role in raising awareness and building support.

The work of CISF, which has been active for 50 years, supports this through research, policy development, and public engagement on family issues. Their annual Family Report, along with ongoing training and advocacy efforts, provides useful insight for anyone working to design or fund programs that support families.

For fundraisers and nonprofit leaders, “WE, HOME” shows how cultural initiatives can highlight important social themes and create emotional connections with diverse audiences. It’s a strong example of how storytelling, when done with authenticity and care, can be used to inform, inspire, and engage.

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🔗 Visit the Exhibition

Explore WE, HOME at www.we-home.it
Learn more about CISF: www.cisf.it

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About the International Fundraising Consultancy

‍‍IFC helps nonprofit organisations around the world grow their impact through strategic fundraising, training, and capacity building. With teams working across multiple countries, we bring global insight and local experience to every project we support. Get in touch today.

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